Multi-port modular valve with snap-in seat

ABSTRACT

A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/724,138 filed on Dec. 21, 2012. The entiredisclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to solenoid operated poppet valves.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Solenoid operated valves such as poppet valves are known which providecontrol of a fluid such as pressurized air in operating additionalequipment such as sorters, packaging machines, food processors, and thelike. These valves may be operated for millions of cycles. In order toretain the solenoid operated valve in a closed position when thesolenoid is de-energized, biasing members such as springs are used. Itis also known, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,736 to Chorkey, thatfluid pressure can be balanced within the valve to reduce a solenoidforce required to move a valve member between closed and open positions.

Direct access to the valve seat area in known valves is generally notavailable. When wear of the valve member or seat occurs, known valvedesigns either require the entire valve to be disassembled or the valveis entirely replaced. Valve designs having snap-in component parts foreasier access to valve components are known, but do not provideflexibility in changing valve operating characteristics.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to several aspects, a solenoid operated modular valve includesa solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in thesolenoid body. A polymeric material valve body cartridge is releasablyconnected to the solenoid body.

An armature/valve member is slidably disposed in both the solenoid bodyand the valve body cartridge. The armature/valve member is displacedtoward the pole piece when the coil is energized.

A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes: first and second deflectableclaw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge to retainthe snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve bodycartridge; a guide tube slidably receiving a valve member guide of thearmature/valve member; and a biasing member acting to normally bias thearmature/valve member toward the snap-in seat assembly and acting tocreate a clearance gap between the snap-in seat assembly and the valvebody cartridge in a non-installed condition of the modular valve.

According to other aspects, a solenoid operated modular valve includes asolenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoidbody. A polymeric material valve body cartridge is releasably connectedto the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes firstand second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valvebody cartridge to retain the snap-in seat assembly in direct contactwith the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted bya valve seal member defines a valve closed position. The valve sealmember is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve openposition when the coil is energized. A body end portion of the modularvalve body cartridge includes a barb engagement face having pitchedcontact edges, the pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitchdirectly contacted by the barb of each of the first and seconddeflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-inseat assembly to the valve body cartridge.

According to further aspects, a solenoid operated modular valve includesa solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in thesolenoid body and a polymeric material valve body cartridge releasablyconnected to the solenoid body. An armature/valve member slidablydisposed in both the solenoid body and the valve body cartridge isdisplaced toward the pole piece when the coil is energized. A polymericsnap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw armseach having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge to retain thesnap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. Aguide tube slidably receiving a valve member guide of the armature/valvemember. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal membersupported on the armature/valve member defines a valve closed position.The valve seal member is displaced away from the seat engagement face ina valve open position when the coil is energized. A biasing membernormally biases the armature/valve member toward the snap-in seatassembly seat engagement face and creates a clearance gap between thesnap-in seat assembly and the valve body cartridge in a non-installedcondition of the modular valve.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-port modular valve with asnap-in seat of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side elevational view taken at section 2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side elevational view taken at area 3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 foranother embodiment of a multi-port modular valve;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional top plan view taken at section 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 ofthe valve installed in an exemplary manifold, with the valve furthershown in a valve open position;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side elevational view similar to FIG. 6 of afurther embodiment of a 3-way modular valve of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 of amodular valve modified to include a seat assembly locking feature;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side elevational view of area 9 of FIG. 8;and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional top plan view taken at section 10 of FIG.8.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a modular valve 10 includes a solenoid valveoperator 11 having a solenoid body 12 releasably connected to a valvebody cartridge 14. Valve body cartridge 14 includes a body end portion16 where a snap-in seat assembly 18 is releasably connected thereto suchthat the snap-in seat assembly 18, the body end portion 16, the valvebody cartridge 14, and the solenoid body 12 are all coaxially alignedwith respect to a valve central longitudinal axis 20. Once assembledhaving the snap-in seat assembly 18 received as shown, modular valve 10provides an inlet port “A” and an outlet port “B”.

Referring to FIG. 2, modular valve 10 further includes a coil 22assembled about a bobbin 24, with a normally stationary pole piece 26positioned within the bobbin 24. The pole piece 26 is adjustable withrespect to the valve central longitudinal axis 20 by rotating pole piece26 with respect to pole piece threads 28 engaging pole piece 26 to anupper end of solenoid body 12 such that an axial position of pole piece26 is adjustable within a cylindrical bore 27 defined by the bobbin 24.

An electrical connection cover 30 is releasably connected to thesolenoid body 12 which includes multiple electrical contacts 32 suchthat electrical energy can be provided to the coil 22. When modularvalve 10 is in the normally closed position shown, a clearance gap 34 isprovided between the pole piece 26 and an armature/valve member 36.Armature/valve member 36 homogeneously includes an armature portion 36 awhich is slidably disposed within an armature sleeve 38. Armature sleeve38 is positioned within the cylindrical bore 27 of bobbin 24 and isprovided to maintain coaxial alignment of armature/valve member 36during sliding displacement between a valve closed and a valve openposition. Armature sleeve 38 is integrally connected to an armaturesleeve flange 40 which extends transversely with respect to valvecentral longitudinal axis 20.

A biasing member 42 such as a coiled spring, is positioned about anouter diameter portion of armature/valve member 36 below armature sleeveflange 40. A first end of the biasing member 42 is positioned in directcontact with the armature sleeve flange 40 and an opposite second end isin direct contact with a valve member piston 44 which is integralportion of armature/valve member 36. The biasing member 42 provides acontinuous biasing force acting to displace the armature/valve member 36in a valve closing direction “C”. The valve member piston 44 is slidablydisposed within a piston cavity 46 created in valve body cartridge 14.

The valve body cartridge 14 according to several embodiments is createdof a polymeric material and is releasably, threadably connected to thesolenoid body 12 using valve body threads 48. A polymeric material isused for valve body cartridge 14 for multiple reasons, including: toreduce cost and weight of modular valve 10; to permit the complexgeometry of valve body cartridge 14 to be more easily manufactured usinga molding operation; to reduce or eliminate corrosion of the valve bodycartridge 14 in an installed position of modular valve 10; and toeliminate any effects of the magnetic field on the valve body cartridge14 during operation of coil 22. A valve body seal member 50, such as anO-ring or D-ring, is provided in contact between valve body cartridge14, solenoid body 12, and armature sleeve flange 40. Valve body sealmember 50 provides an atmospheric seal for modular valve 10. To furtherprevent a fluid such as air which is controlled by operation of modularvalve 10 from entering the area of the coil 22, a seal member 52 such asa soft rubber or similar material member, is positioned in contact witha wall of piston cavity 46 as valve member piston 44 slidably displaceswithin piston cavity 46. Seal member 52 is retained in position bydirect contact with each of the valve member piston 44 and a valvemember seal retainer 54 which is also an integral extension of thearmature/valve member 36.

To provide a normal fluid seal boundary for the fluid controlled byoperation of modular valve 10 between the inlet and outlet ports, avalve seal member 58 is retained between and in direct contact with afirst valve member seal retention flange 56 and a second valve memberseal retention flange 57 both integrally connected to and extendingradially outwardly from armature/valve member 36. Valve seal member 58can be made of a soft material such as rubber or similar seal material.During normal operating conditions, with the coil 22 in a de-energizedcondition, the valve seal member 58 will directly contact a seatengagement face 60 provided with snap-in seat assembly 18.

To provide sliding alignment of armature/valve member 36 during valveoperation, the armature/valve member 36 further integrally includes avalve member guide 62 defining a free end of the armature/valve member36. The valve member guide 62 is substantially circular in cross-sectionand is slidably received in a guide tube 64 integrally provided with thesnap-in seat assembly 18. To displace the armature/valve member 36 fromthe seated position shown to a valve open position (shown and describedin better detail in reference to FIG. 6), electrical energy is providedto coil 22 with creates a magnetic field acting through pole piece 26which magnetically attracts the armature/valve member 36 in a valveopening direction “D” toward the pole piece 26. The magnetic fieldprovided via the coil 22 through pole piece 26 overcomes the biasingforce of biasing member 42. As long as electrical energy is provided tocoil 22, the armature/valve member 36 will be held at the valve openposition allowing fluid flow through modular valve 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, snap-in seat assembly 18 further includes a seatassembly body 66 which has the guide tube 64 extending therefrom. Theguide tube 64 defines a guide tube bore 68 within which the valve memberguide 62 is slidably displaced. Oppositely directed with respect toguide tube 64 are each of a first claw arm 70 and a second claw arm 72which are integral extensions of the seat assembly body 66. The firstclaw arm 70 includes a first barb 74 and the second claw arm 72 includesa second barb 76. The first and second barbs are directed outwardly andare therefore oppositely directed with respect to each other. Each ofthe first and second barbs 74, 76 includes a barb flat 78, 78′ which isoriented transversely with respect to valve central longitudinal axis 20when the snap-in seat assembly 18 is positioned in its installedcondition. Each of the barb flats 78, 78′ directly contacts a planarbarb engagement surface 80 which is created on the body end portion 16.

The snap-in seat assembly 18 is installed by displacing the snap-in seatassembly 18 in a seat assembly installation direction “E”, whichinitially inwardly deflects each of the first and second claw arms 70,72 as the first and second barbs 74, 76 directly contact an end portioninner wall 82 of body end portion 16. Both of the first and second barbs74, 76 eventually reach a position where the barb flats 78, 78′ extendabove the planar barb engagement surface 80, which thereby allows thebiasing force created by inward deflection of the first and second clawarms 70, 72 to return the first and second claw arms 70, 72 radiallyoutward with respect to valve central longitudinal axis 20. This outwardmotion engages the barb flats 78, 78′ in direct contact with the planarbarb engagement surface 80. In the engaged position, the first andsecond barbs 74, 76 releasably retain the snap-in seat assembly 18 withrespect to the body end portion 16. As the snap-in seat assembly 18reaches the fully installed position, a seal member end face 84 of thevalve seal member 58 can directly contact the seat engagement face 60 ofthe snap-in seat assembly 18.

A seat assembly seal member 86, such as an O-ring or D-ring provides foradditional fluid boundary containment. Seat assembly seal member 86 ispositioned in an externally provided slot created in the seat assemblybody 66. The function and operation of seat assembly seal member 86 willbe described in greater detail in reference to FIG. 6. It is noted thatthe first and second claw arms 70, 72 are positioned diametricallyopposite with respect to each other such that during installation, eachof the first and second claw arms 70, 72 are forced toward the valvecentral longitudinal axis 20, for example in an inward deflectiondirection “F” as shown with respect to first claw arm 70. The amount ofelastic deflection of the first and second claw arms 70, 72 is intendedto be substantially equal during the installation phase.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modular valve 85 is modified from modular valve10 to include a modified snap-in seat assembly 88 having a smallerdiameter outlet port 101. The other components of modular valve 10 andof snap-in seat assembly 18 are substantially unchanged. To reduce thepossibility of tapping or contact noise as the armature/valve member 36rapidly displaces between valve closed and valve open positions, acushion member 89, made for example of a rubber or similar resilientmaterial, is positioned between an armature end face 90 and a pole pieceend face 92. The cushion member 89 is softer than the material of thearmature/valve member 36 and pole piece 26 and therefore substantiallyeliminates direct metal-to-metal contact between armature/valve member36 and pole piece 26, and further reduces the potential for wear atarmature end face 90 and pole piece end face 92. With the cushion member89 in position as shown, by adjusting the axial position of pole piece26 using pole piece threads 28, a valve stroke length “G” isestablished. The valve stroke length “G” can be modified to accommodatewear of cushion member 89, or to change the operating characteristics ofmodular valve 10 such as its opening and closing time, its maximum timein an open condition, or further operating characteristics.

In addition to the seal members previously described herein, a bodypositioning member 94 such as an O-ring or a D-ring is positioned abouta circumference of solenoid body 12 and in direct contact with asolenoid body flange 96. Solenoid body flange 96 extends outwardly withrespect to solenoid body 12. The purpose of body positioning member 94will be described in greater detail in reference to FIG. 6.

With continuing reference to both FIGS. 3 and 4, when the snap-in seatassembly 18 or 88 is initially installed in body end portion 16, thebiasing force of biasing member 42 will normally act in the valveclosing direction “C” providing a snap-in seat clearance gap 100 betweena seat assembly end face 98 of seat assembly body 66 and the body endportion 16. Evidence of snap-in seat clearance gap 100 having an equalclearance about the circumference of the snap-in seat assembly afterassembly but prior to installation of the modular valve provides visualconfirmation the modular valve has been assembled correctly with bothsnap-in seat assembly 18 or 88 barbs correctly seated. Snap-in seatclearance gap 100 will be substantially eliminated or reduced to zerowhen modular valve 10 or 85 is installed in its final installationposition within a manifold, which will be described in reference to FIG.6.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, several advantages of usingsnap-in seat assemblies 18 or 88 of the present disclosure include theability to change the operation of from a pressure balanced valve(modular valve 10) to a non-pressure balanced operating valve (modularvalve 85). For example, according to several aspects, and referringagain to FIG. 3, modular valve 10 operates as a pressure balanced valvewhen a diameter “X” of piston cavity 46 is substantially equal to adiameter “Y” of an outlet port 87 isolated by valve seal member 58 whenvalve seal member 58 is in contact with seat engagement face 60.Substantially equal and opposite fluid pressure therefore acts againstvalve member piston 44 and against seal retention flange 56 and valveseal member 58 in the valve closed position, such that the magneticforce created by energizing coil 22 acting through pole piece 26 onlyhas to overcome the biasing force of biasing member 42 to open modularvalve 10. In contrast, and referring again to FIG. 4, modular valve 85operates as an un-balanced pressure valve when the diameter “X” ofpiston cavity 46 is greater than a diameter “Z” of a smaller diameterport 101 of snap-in seat assembly 88 which is isolated by valve sealmember 58 when valve seal member 58 is in contact with a seat engagementface 103 of snap-in seat assembly 88. A greater fluid pressure actsagainst valve member piston 44 than against seal retention flange 56 andvalve seal member 58 in the valve closed position of modular valve 85.This allows the operator to change the operating conditions such as thevalve opening time or to increase the pressure force acting to retainmodular valve 85 in the valve closed position compared to modular valve10.

Referring to FIG. 5, the overlap of the first and second barbs 74, 76 isshown with respect to planar barb engagement surface 80 of body endportion 16. It is noted that the position of the first and second barbs74, 76 can contact substantially at any position about the circumferenceof body end portion 16. There is therefore no limitation on theinstaller of snap-in seat assembly 18 to locate or adhere to a specificinstalled position of snap-in seat assembly 18. The snap-in seatassembly 18 installed position is therefore not limited by theinstaller's selected installed position.

Referring to FIG. 6, modular valve 10 is shown in an installed positionin a block or manifold 102, with modular valve 10 further shown in thevalve open position. Modular valve 85 (not shown) would be installed ina similar manner. Initially, the valve body cartridge 14 is slidablyinserted in a first manifold bore 104 of manifold 102. At the same time,the seat assembly body 66 is slidably received in a smaller diametersecond manifold bore 106. A seal member, such as an O-ring or D-ring108, positioned in a circumferential slot created in valve bodycartridge 14, abuts against an inner wall of the first manifold bore104. Similarly, the seat assembly seal member 86 also abuts against aninner wall of the second manifold bore 106 to create a fluid seal. Aseat body end face 108 of the seat assembly body 66 is displaced intothe second manifold bore 106 until the seat body end face 108 directlycontacts a manifold bore end face 109. This direct contact is maintainedby a biasing force created as the body positioning member 94 ispartially compressed by contact from a hold-down plate 110 which ismechanically connected to manifold 102.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the snap-in seat gap 100 iseliminated when direct contact occurs between the seat body end face 108and the manifold bore end face 109 such that a barb clearance gap 112 iscreated between the first and second barbs 74, 76 and the body endportion 16. Barb clearance gap 112 is created by the upward displacementof the first and second barbs 74, 76 and snap-in seat assembly 18 or 88in a body displacement direction “J” as the body end portion 16 isinserted into the second manifold bore 106 and by subsequentinstallation of the hold-down plate 110 in a hold-down plateinstallation direction “H”.

In the valve open position shown in FIG. 6, the biasing force of biasingmember 42 is overcome by the magnetic force acting through pole piece 26when coil 22 is energized, which pulls armature/valve member 36 in thevalve opening direction “D”. Seal member end face 84 moves away fromseat engagement face 60, thereby providing a flow path from the inletport “A” to the outlet port “B”. The inlet port “A” is aligned with amanifold inlet passage 114 which are both open with respect to theoutlet port “B” and a manifold outlet passage 115 which is aligned withoutlet port “B”. Flow through the manifold 102 will therefore be frommanifold inlet passage 114 via inlet port “A”, out through outlet port“B” and manifold outlet passage 115 when modular valve 10 (or modularvalve 85) is energized.

Referring to FIG. 7, according to additional aspects, a three-waymodular valve 116 is shown having a snap-in seat assembly modified fromthe snap-in seat assembly 18 previously described herein. Three-waymodular valve 116 includes an armature/valve member 118 which has eachof a first valve member piston 120 and a second valve member piston 122.The first valve member piston 120 is slidably disposed in a valve bodycartridge 124 in the location of a first cartridge bore 125. A sealmember 126, such as an O-ring or D-ring, is provided with the firstvalve member piston 120 to provide a fluid boundary seal for firstcartridge bore 125 as the first valve member piston 120 displacesbetween valve closed and valve open positions. Positioned between thefirst valve member piston 120 and the second valve member piston 122 isa valve member extension 128 which integrally provides a valve memberseal retention flange 130 radially extending outwardly therefrom. Afirst valve seal member 132 and a second valve seal member 133, madefrom a resilient or rubber material, are oppositely positioned withrespect to valve member seal retention flange 130. In the valve closedposition, the first valve seal member 132 is in direct contact with aseat engagement face 134 and held by the biasing force of a biasingmember 136, such as a coiled spring. In the valve open position (notshown), the second valve seal member 133 is in direct contact with anopposite seat engagement face 135 and held by the magnetic force createdby energizing coil 22.

Similar to snap-in seat assembly 18, a snap-in seat assembly 137provides the seat engagement face 134 as well as opposed first andsecond claw arms 138, 140 which operate in a similar manner aspreviously described with respect to first and second claw arms 70, 72.The snap-in seat assembly 137 includes a seat assembly body 142 fromwhich the first and second claw arms 138, 140 integrally extend. Theseat assembly body 142 further includes a seat body lower portion 144which slidably receives the second valve member piston 122. When thethree-way modular valve 116 is in its fully installed position shown, alower portion end face 146 of the seat body lower portion 144 is indirect contact with a manifold bore end face 148 of a manifold 149. Theseat body lower portion 144 is positioned within a second manifold bore150 of manifold 149 and sealed therein using a seal member 151, such asan O-ring or D-ring. The second valve member piston 122 is slidablysealed within the seat body lower portion 144 using a seal member 152,such as an O-ring or D-ring. To allow axial displacement of second valvemember piston 122, the manifold 149 is provided with a vent passage 154aligned with second valve member piston 122 which is open to theatmosphere.

Similar to modular valves 10 and 85, installation of three-way modularvalve 116 proceeds by installing the valve body cartridge 124 into thefirst cartridge bore 125 and the second manifold bore 150. A hold-downplate 156 directly contacts and partially compresses a body positioningmember 158, such as an O-ring or D-ring, which functions similar to bodypositioning member 94 such that in the fully installed position ofthree-way modular valve 116, the barbs of the first and second claw arms138, 140 are displaced freely away from contact with a lower portion ofvalve body cartridge 124. In the installed position and in the valvenormally closed position, a body exhaust port 160 is aligned with a bodyoutlet port 164 and a body inlet port 162 is isolated from both of thebody exhaust port 160 and body outlet port 164. When three-way modularvalve 116 is energized, the armature/valve member 118 is displaced to avalve open position which aligns the body inlet port 162 with the bodyoutlet port 164 while the body exhaust port 160 is isolated.

Referring to FIG. 8, according to further aspects, a modular valve 166is further modified to provide a rotate-to-lock position for a snap-inseat assembly 168. The snap-in seat assembly 168, when assembled androtated to the locked position, will therefore no longer be axiallydisplaceable, unlike the previous embodiments described herein. Thesnap-in seat assembly 168 is provided with a seat assembly body 170which directly contacts a body end portion 172 at each of a first clawarm 174 and a second claw arm 176, similar to those previously describedherein.

Referring to FIG. 9 and again to FIG. 8, each of the first and secondclaw arms 174, 176 is provided with a barb 178, 178′ which areoppositely directed with respect to each other. Each barb 178, 178′ isprovided with a barb flat 180, 180′. The body end portion 172 of modularvalve 166 is modified to provide a barb engagement face 182 havingpitched contact edges 184, 184′ each having a continuous pitch tofrictionally rotatably lock the snap-in seat assembly 168 in position.The pitched contact edges 184, 184′ can also include a maximum heightedge position 186, 186′ located at the position of maximum heightcontact of both of the first and second claw arms 174, 176, whichthereby defines the locked position. After the initial installation ofsnap-in seat assembly 168 in a seat assembly installation direction “E”,the snap-in seat assembly 168 is axially rotated until the barb flats180, 180′ reach the maximum height edge position 186, 186′ of thepitched contact edges 184, 184′. There is therefore no clearance gapprovided at the contact point 187 between seat assembly body 170 andbody end portion 172 at the locked position.

Referring to FIG. 10 and again to FIGS. 8-9, first and second rotationstops 188, 188′ act as positive rotation stops for the first and secondclaw arms 174, 176 as the snap-in seat assembly 168 is rotated in aninstallation rotation direction 190, such as the clockwise rotationdirection shown. The first and second rotation stops 188, 188′ can beprovided in addition to the maximum height edge positions 186, 186′ toact as a rotation position lock for the snap-in seat assembly 168.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular valve, comprising: a solenoid body; apole piece disposed within the solenoid body; a coil disposed within thesolenoid body; a valve body cartridge connected to the solenoid body,the valve body cartridge including a body end portion that is spacedfrom the rest of the valve body cartridge by an inlet port; anarmature/valve member slidably disposed with respect to both thesolenoid body and the valve body cartridge that is displaced withrespect to the pole piece when the coil is energized; a snap-in seatassembly having: at least one claw arm that engages the valve bodycartridge to retain the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with thevalve body cartridge; and the at least one claw arm having alongitudinal length that is longer than the body end portion such thatthe snap-in seat assembly is moveable longitudinally relative to thevalve body cartridge when the at least one claw arm is engaged with thevalve body cartridge, wherein the snap-in seat assembly is spaced fromthe body end portion of the valve body cartridge when the modular valveis in a non-installed condition to provide a clearance gap between thesnap-in seat assembly and the body end portion of the valve bodycartridge, and wherein the snap-in seat assembly abuts the body endportion of the valve body cartridge when the modular valve is in aninstalled condition to close the clearance gap.
 2. The modular valve ofclaim 1, wherein the solenoid body further includes a bobbin supportingthe coil and having the pole piece slidably received in the bobbin. 3.The modular valve of claim 2, wherein the pole piece is movablypositioned in the bobbin and further includes a threaded end engagingthe pole piece to the solenoid body permitting an axial position of thepole piece to be selected by rotation of the pole piece with respect tothe threaded end.
 4. The modular valve of claim 1, wherein the at leastone claw arm has a barb and the body end portion of the modular valvebody cartridge includes a barb engagement face having a pitched contactedge.
 5. The modular valve of claim 4, wherein the pitched contact edgehas a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the at leastone claw arm to frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valvebody cartridge.
 6. The modular valve of claim 5, wherein the pitchedcontact edge includes a maximum height edge position located where theat least one claw arm contacts the pitched contact edge thereby definingthe locked position.
 7. The modular valve of claim 4, wherein afterinitial installation of the snap-in seat assembly in a seat assemblyinstallation direction co-axial with respect to a longitudinal centralaxis of the modular valve, the snap-in seat assembly is rotated aboutthe longitudinal central axis until a barb flat of the barb of the atleast one claw arm reaches a maximum height edge position of the pitchedcontact edge.
 8. The modular valve of claim 4, wherein the body endportion further includes a rotation stop that engages the at least oneclaw arm of the snap-in seat assembly as the snap-in seat assemblyrotates about a longitudinal central axis.
 9. The modular valve of claim1, wherein the snap-in seat assembly includes a seat engagement facethat defines a valve closed position when the seat engagement face iscontacted by a valve seal member supported on the armature/valve memberand a valve open position when the coil is energized and the valve sealmember is displaced away from the seat engagement face.
 10. The modularvalve of claim 1, wherein the modular valve is a 2-way valve.
 11. Themodular valve of claim 1, wherein the modular valve is a 3-way valve.12. The modular valve of claim 4, further including a manifold having amanifold bore receiving the modular valve and a modular bore end face,wherein the clearance gap between the snap-in seat assembly and thevalve body cartridge is eliminated when direct contact occurs between aseat body end face of the snap-in seat assembly and the manifold boreend face.
 13. The modular valve of claim 12, wherein a barb clearancegap is created between the barb of the at least one claw arm and thebody end portion of the valve body cartridge when the clearance gapbetween the snap-in seat assembly and the valve body cartridge iseliminated.
 14. A modular valve, comprising: a solenoid body; a polepiece disposed within the solenoid body; a coil disposed within thesolenoid body; a valve body cartridge connected to the solenoid body; asnap-in seat assembly having: at least one claw arm having a barb thatengages the valve body cartridge to retain the snap-in seat assembly indirect contact with the valve body cartridge; a seat engagement facethat defines a valve closed position when the seat engagement face iscontacted by a valve seal member and a valve open position when the coilis energized and the valve seal member is displaced away from the seatengagement face; and the valve body cartridge including a body endportion presenting a barb engagement face having a pitched contact edge,the pitched contact edge having a continuous pitch that undercuts thebarb of the at least one claw arm giving the pitched contact edge apointed cross-sectional shape that contacts the barb to rotatably andfrictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.15. The modular valve of claim 14, further including an armature/valvemember slidably disposed in both the solenoid body and the valve bodycartridge, the armature/valve member being displaced toward the polepiece when the coil is energized.
 16. The modular valve of claim 15,wherein the snap-in seat assembly includes a guide tube slidablyreceiving a valve member guide of the armature/valve member.
 17. Themodular valve of claim 15, wherein the valve seal member is supported onthe armature/valve member between a first and a second seal retentionflange, the first and the second retention flanges integrally connectedto the armature/valve member and radially extending from thearmature/valve member.
 18. The modular valve of claim 15, furtherincluding a biasing member acting to bias the armature/valve membertoward the snap-in seat assembly and create a clearance gap between thesnap-in seat assembly and the valve body cartridge in a non-installedcondition of the modular valve.
 19. A solenoid operated modular valve,comprising: a solenoid body; a pole piece disposed within the solenoidbody; a coil disposed within the solenoid body; a valve body cartridgeadjacent the solenoid body; an armature/valve member slidably disposedwith respect to both the solenoid body and the valve body cartridge thatis displaced with respect to the pole piece when the coil is energized;a snap-in seat assembly having: at least one claw arm that engages thevalve body cartridge to retain the snap-in seat assembly in contact withthe valve body cartridge; a seat engagement face that defines a valveclosed position when the seat engagement face is contacted by a valveseal member supported on the armature/valve member and a valve openposition when the coil is energized and the valve seal member isdisplaced away from the seat engagement face; and a biasing memberacting to bias the armature/valve member toward the seat engagement faceand create a clearance gap between the snap-in seat assembly and thevalve body cartridge in a non-installed condition of the modular valve.20. The solenoid operated modular valve of claim 19, wherein thearmature/valve member further includes a piston slidably received in apiston bore of the valve body cartridge.
 21. The solenoid operatedmodular valve of claim 19, wherein the snap-in seat assembly furtherincludes an outlet bore and a pressure balanced condition of the modularvalve is created when a diameter of the outlet bore is equal to adiameter of the piston bore.
 22. The solenoid operated modular valve ofclaim 19, wherein the snap-in seat assembly further includes an outletbore and a non-pressure balanced condition of the modular valve iscreated when a diameter of the outlet bore is less than a diameter ofthe piston bore.
 23. The solenoid operated modular valve of claim 19,further including a cushion member of a resilient material positionedbetween an armature end face of the armature/valve member and a polepiece end face of the pole piece that prevents direct contact betweenthe armature/valve member and the pole piece.
 24. The solenoid operatedmodular valve of claim 23, wherein an axial position of the pole pieceis selected when the cushion member is in position to define a valvestroke length.